John B

I estimate that I've built that kit 4 or 5 times in the various boxing. A few things stand out in my mind - 1) The fit of the fuselage forward of the cockpit is the worst part of the kit. Not much you can do besides fill the gaps and sand. 2) Replacing the wheels and seat with aftermarket will make an easy dramatic visual improvement. I thought I had posted more WIP threads of variations of the Monogram/ Revell-Monogram Hornet kit, but I found these two -> WIP #1 WIP #2 Maybe you can find something useful in them?

Wow. I ran out of superlatives for your images a long time ago. The low-angle shot of the T-Bird F-16 stands out as it different from so many "eye level" images shot while they are on the ground. Did you lie on your stomach to get that shot?

The Thunderbirds performed at 2023 So Cal Air Show at March Air Reserve Base, Moreno Valley, California. USA The snow on the nearby mountains hasn't yet melted off.

Your images are such a trip in the way-back machine. That same flightline is now populated by KC-135s and the only Phantoms at March now on-display are at the museum. That water tower in the background is still a landmark. Thanks for sharing your images!

Testing. 1,2,3. Can anyone see this birdy?

BTW - I think it was a nice that you included the short history of this particular airframe and synopsis of the mission that the loadout depicts. It definitely puts things into meaningful context. Emoji time again -

I can't think of when your F-14 projects haven't been fantastic results. I've run out of superlatives and compliments. I'll simply resort to emojis. -> 👍👍👍

If "exhaust stains" can be considered an "art", then consider yourself an artist!

This is a really unique application of skills and the results are very nice. I like how the example of the clock complementing the 109. I've collected a few patches and aircraft placards to display next to my models, but your work is orders of magnitude better than that idea. In addition, the use of the clocks in restorations does more than "fill an empty hole" in a cockpit. Exemplary work!

The fact that it has stood the test of time speaks well of how well it originally built 30 years ago.👍

I just re-found this useful thread. Basically all my on-line images were hosted on Photobucket and I'm thinking that imgur will be where my images will now reside. I intend to transition all my WIP and Finished images to imgur from Photobucket. Has anyone been able to DIRECTLY transfer their images from one hosting site to the other? Would it be less complicated for me to simply re-load all my previous images directly to imgur. With all my images, it will be a daunting task to find all my threads with my images hosted at the current location regardless. I'm hoping that someone has found an elegant and simple way to do it.

Very nice! There is something to be said for persistence and the value of something being more when it is hard-won. 👍 The subtle panel-line treatment is impressive in that it doesn't shout its presence, but is still effective. BTW- You must have a sizable cupboard is that kit fits inside it.

Dang. When do you sleep??? Those are Sierra Hotel!👍👍

I can't help liking this image because it brings to mind the dirty roll on take-off by one of the opposing solos at the beginning of each demonstration.👍

You are a lucky modeler!👍

I didn't know the "technical name" for those things, just their function. I guess I could refer to them as "net grabbers" but those words are too close to something that elicits a painful reaction. 😫 My unscientific guess would be that the snaggers/grabbers on the leading edge slat were relatively easy to remove and being removed from a extremely reflective surface makes for better "visual smoothness"? (Yes, I'm making up random terms again.🤪) It would certainly make the slats easier to polish with them removed.

Nice job removing the standard perturbances on the leading edge slats. I missed this difference with the Blue Angels single-seat Skyhawks. What kit will you be using for the Blue Angels F-4s?

Test birds are not subjects too often modelled. I'll bet that not a modelers realize how accurate the old Monogram F-18 and A-18 kits from the 1980s actually are for the FSD jets. From the vents that don't exist on production jets to the "odd" shapes of wing pylons. Your series of Test birds in all their "non-standard" color schemes is outstanding!

Dang Dawg. You are a building machine!

There is something inherently beautiful about the color schemes on some prototypes. Your Rafale A definitely falls into that category. If I may suggest, either a Rafale M or a Rafale B? Both of those production versions should contrast nicely with the prototype. Beautiful build of an older kit!👏

Hi folks - So along the same lines, when we "see" someone with a "big head", is it the shape of the head or it just because the proportionately he is 7.4 heads tall compared to his body? (I have a "pointy" head with a short haircut, so my hats trend towards the smaller end of the adjustable size scale.) How do helmets/ flight gear/ clothing affect our perception of "size"? How close to 1/48 can something be in scale that we don't notice the difference? If I used a 1/55th sci-fi helmet on a 1/48 figure, would it be immediately noticeable?

"C'est facile!" Maybe even for me.

Okay, I'll admit it. I read the Heading of your RFI post and (because I'm old) assumed that it was referring to the 1/48 Revell F-14D (which is also old). As I scrolled through your images, I thought "Wow. He re-scribed the panel lines, but for some reason his images look 'different from what I expected to see'". Then like the proverbial frying pan hitting my head, I saw this image - I can honestly state I was dumbfounded when I realized it was 1/144th scale! That is very nice work, regardless of scale AND I allot it extra points for the skill working with precision akin to a watchmaker.

Hi Stix - You're absolutely right that putting things in B&W make it "look right". I know someone who motorized Tamiya F4U Corsairs as part of action diorama. He created an excellent vignette as well, but putting the images in B&W seemed to add another dimension. Perhaps because that's because that we're conditioned to seeing images from that period in B&W? Here is the link to his thread -> USS Franklin vignette

I would like to echo everyone else's praise. I have a set in-hand and they make me itch to start a Rafale right away. IF Arnaud ever produces a Rafale M extended boarding ladder, I'll definitely queue up for one.